How Large-Scale Civil Engineering Projects Realise the Potential of a City (1/3)

In this series of three special lectures, leading experts from AECOM would explore the impact of a trio of major projects on a single city. In common with every metropolis, London has run-down districts and infrastructure in need of upgrading. The lectures propose to cover three of the biggest challenges: regenerating run-down areas; reducing congestion and transporting people more efficiently; and improving water and wastewater systems. Each project contributes to a collective public aim - to realise the potential of a growing city, and ensure its healthy, sustainable and competitive future. Lecture 1: Into the lecture series and The London 2012 Olympic Games Most cities share a group of common complex challenges – growing populations, ageing infrastructure, and mitigating the effects of climate change. These require similar responses to find the most appropriate solutions to make sure that all urban dwellers can have the basics of food, warmth, clean water and shelter. In addition, they must have the ability to lead full and productive lives being able to travel around easily and effectively, that they have homes, jobs and places to enjoy their leisure time. To achieve all of this requires a holistic vision and collaborative approach involving all stakeholders from local, regional and national government and utility companies, to private business and local communities. To provide an example of the holistic approach to reworking old cities, this series begins with a dynamic first-hand account from a key player in one of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. The Lower Lea Valley in East London was a rundown and melancholic place in 2000, but its radical transformation has created an exemplary setting for the 2012 Olympic Games. In the spirit of previous London developments based around green spaces, the parkland created for the Games (the setting for 35,000 homes) is designed to act as a catalyst for improvement The legacy masterplan is crucial for this and the speaker’s team has gone on to win the Olympic masterplan competition for Rio 2016